Oldbury primary school rated inadequate in Ofsted inspection
A Sandwell primary school where standards have "declined" has been rated inadequate in a new report.
An Ofsted inspection at Lightwoods Primary School, in Oldbury, found it had "undergone severe turbulence in the last 18 months".
The school was given an overall inadequate rating. The leadership and management was also rated inadequate, while the quality of education was rated requires improvement.
Lightwoods' behaviour and attitudes, personal development and early years provision was rated good by Ofsted.
A spokesman for the school said they were disappointed with the findings of the report – adding that they had "key areas which needed addressing".
In full:
The report said: "This school has undergone severe turbulence in the last 18 months. At the time of the inspection, there was no substantive headteacher in place. Two assistant headteachers have taken on the running of the school.
"Governors and the local authority have not provided enough effective support for these leaders. As a result, standards at the school have declined.
"Safeguarding procedures are not effective. There is a lack of leadership capacity within the school. Despite these issues, staff ensure that pupils continue to do well.
Activities
"All staff have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour. Pupils’ conduct is good. They work hard and aim to do well. Lessons are calm and orderly. Pupils play well together at social times. Bullying incidents are rare and pupils have every confidence in their teachers to sort any that might occur. Pupils are happy and enjoy coming to school.
"Pupils benefit from an extensive range of activities that develop their personal interests. The many activities include trips, visits, residentials and after-school clubs."
A spokesman for Lightwoods Primary School said: “We were obviously disappointed with the outcome of school inspection in February. There are many positives in the report but clearly some key areas which needed addressing.
“A completely new and experienced school governing body is now in place and the school has successfully appointed a new headteacher who will be starting shortly.
“In the interim the council has secured the services of an excellent interim headteacher from a local primary school.
“The new leadership in the school has spent the last four months making rapid progress on addressing the issues raised in the Ofsted report.
“Whilst we recognise there were a number of issues which needed addressing, we want to reassure parents that action has been taken swiftly and we are doing everything we can to improve.”
